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Church Books in Order

4 Books
2005 – 2009 Published
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Reading order

How to Read the Church Series

Carl Weber’s Church series is best read in publication order. The novels are set around the First Jamaica Ministries megachurch in Queens, New York, led by Bishop T.K. Wilson. Reading them in sequence allows you to trace the interlocking relationships, scandals, and personal arcs as they evolve.

The Core Church Series Order

  1. The Preacher's Son (2005) - Introduces Bishop T.K. Wilson and his family, following the drama of his children, Dante and Donna, as they face scandals and high expectations.
  2. So You Call Yourself a Man (2005) - Centers on three church trustees, particularly James Black, as their secrets and affairs test their relationships.
  3. The First Lady (2007) - Explores the power struggle and scandalous drama that erupts within the church following the death of the Bishop's wife, Charlene Wilson.
  4. Up to No Good (2009) - Follows the scheming James Robinson as he returns to Jamaica, Queens, bringing chaos to the community.
  5. Torn Between Two Lovers (2010) - Focuses on Loraine Farrow, a plus-sized diva dealing with love and loyalty when caught between two men.

The Choir Director Spin-Offs

The saga of First Jamaica Ministries expands beyond the core series. Weber continued the story of Bishop Wilson's congregation in his Choir Director series, which should be read after the main books:

  1. The Choir Director (2011) - Bishop Wilson hires the talented but scandal-prone Aaron Mackie to restore the church choir's reputation.
  2. The Choir Director 2: Runaway Bride (2014) - Follows the direct fallout from a dramatic wedding day incident involving the choir director.

Series Caveats and Overlaps

Because Carl Weber's urban fiction universe shares overlapping characters, some books are cross-referenced across different series. Most notably, Torn Between Two Lovers acts as both the fifth book of the Church series and the third book of the Big Girls Book Club series (following Something on the Side and Big Girls Do Cry). While you can read it as part of either series, it connects the drama of the church to the lives of the book club members.

Frequently Asked

QWhat is the recommended reading order for the Church series?

We recommend reading the core series in publication order, starting with The Preacher's Son, followed by So You Call Yourself a Man, The First Lady, Up to No Good, and Torn Between Two Lovers.

QIs there a spin-off to the Church series?

Yes, The Choir Director series (including The Choir Director and The Choir Director 2) is a direct spin-off set at the same First Jamaica Ministries church and featuring Bishop T.K. Wilson.

QHow is Torn Between Two Lovers connected to the series?

Torn Between Two Lovers serves as both the fifth book in the Church series and the third book in Carl Weber's Big Girls Book Club series, featuring overlapping characters and settings.

QDo you need to read the Big Girls Book Club series first?

No, you do not need to read it first, but doing so provides additional background on Loraine Farrow and the book club members featured in Torn Between Two Lovers.

QWho is the main character linking these books?

The central figure linking the stories is Bishop T.K. Wilson, the head of First Jamaica Ministries in Queens, New York, around whom the community and scandals revolve.

QWas the Church series adapted into a movie?

Yes, the first novel in the series, The Preacher's Son, was adapted into a feature film released in 2017.